A new business council representing Cypriot professionals and entrepreneurs in the United Arab Emirates has been formally launched in Dubai. Supported by Dubai Chambers, the Cyprus Business Council is intended to provide a structured forum for collaboration and information exchange across sectors where both countries maintain active commercial interests.
Speaking at the founding ceremony and first General Assembly, held in Dubai during the Doers Summit 2025 (26–27 November), Cyprus Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry George Papanastasiou said the creation of the Cyprus Business Council represents a practical step in developing closer economic ties. According to the Minister, the council can serve as a platform that allows businesses, investors and innovation stakeholders from both countries to connect, share expertise and explore joint initiatives that support sustainable growth and technological cooperation.
Cooperation
Papanastasiou noted that cooperation between Cyprus and the UAE is expected to focus on a broad range of sectors. These include energy, innovation, green technologies, tourism, shipping services, infrastructure projects, food and water supply chains, digital assets and digital transformation. He added that both countries have experience and ambitions in these fields, which could translate into partnerships with wider regional or international impact.
Structure and leadership
The Cyprus Business Council is composed of Cypriot professionals and businesspeople active in the UAE. It was established through the Trade Center of the Republic of Cyprus in Dubai and operates under the auspices of Dubai Chambers. The council will be based in Dubai and managed by a Board of Directors.
The first board members are:
President: Yiannos Olympios
Vice President: Andrea Stefani
Treasurer: Dina El Guindi
Secretary: Andreas Tsintos
Member: Dimitris Zamboglou
Member: Georgios Pantechis
Member: Foivos Stefanou
Member: Theodoros Krigkou
Member: Michalis Nicolaou
Among those present at the launch were Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority, Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, UAE Undersecretary for Economy and Tourism, Dr. Nikodimos Damianou, Cyprus Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, and Meropi Christofi, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the UAE.